Kratom, an easily obtained herbal drug, has caused nearly 100 overdose deaths between 2016 and 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kratom contains addictive, opioid-like compounds that can cause a number of dangerous side effects.

Experts explain how kratom produces a high and why the risks of taking it far outweigh any benefits.

The herbal drug kratom has been linked with nearly 100 overdose deaths in recent years, according to a disturbing new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Friday.

Kratom, which is a plant that is naturally grown in Southeast Asia and is often ground up and sold as an herbal supplement, caused 91 overdose deaths in the U.S. between July 2016 and December 2017, the report states.

Despite the dangers linked with it, kratom use is becoming more common, the CDC says. Here, doctors break down why taking the herbal drug is so risky.

What is kratom, exactly?

Kratom is a tropical tree (called Mitragyna speciosa) and it has leaves that contain compounds that can have mind-altering effects, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “It has compounds that mimic the effects of opioids and the effects of stimulants,” says Jamie Alan, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory about kratom in November 2017, it’s not an illegal substance and it’s easy to order online. Kratom may be sold as a green powder, extract, pill, or gum. It sometimes goes by these names, according to the NIDA:

Biak

Ketum

Kakuam

Ithang

Thom

What are the side effects of kratom?

Some studies have shown that kratom has the potential for dependence and abuse, the CDC says. Kratom can be “used for a variety of things,” including pain management and feeling more awake, Alan says.

Side effects really depend on the dose someone takes, but “it has compounds similar to opioids,” Alan says. As a result, people who use kratom may experience the following:

Respiratory issues

Feeling hyper

Hallucinations

Hypertension

Dry mouth

Increased heart rate

Nausea

Decreased appetite

Constipation

Seizures

Can you get high off of kratom?

Yes, and that’s where a lot of people get into trouble. “Most people use it for the mild ‘trip’ it produces,” Alan says. “The opioid-like compounds can produce euphoria. Then, there are the hallucinogenic effects, so it can produce a high.” The drug also likely causes the release of the feel-good hormone dopamine, which is partly why the drug has addictive potential, she explains.

Is kratom safe?

Definitely not. “This is dangerous,” Alan says. In fact, between 2011 and 2017, the national poison center reporting database recorded 1,807 calls about possible exposure to kratom, the CDC says.

People can overdose on kratom one of two ways, Alan says: The first is via ingesting too much of the opioid-like compound. “This would lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death,” she says. The second is through the stimulant and anticholinergic effects. “The most dangerous of these effects would be hypertension and increased heart rate, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke. These properties could also cause a seizure,” Alan says.

“The risks far outweigh the benefits.”

Alan says that there is “very complex pharmacology involved” with kratom and the potential for many drug interactions, which make it even more dangerous. “If this is taken with alcohol or a benzodiazepine, the additive effects of respiratory depression could be lethal,” she says. The opioid-like compounds could also cause someone to feel good and then fall asleep before having breathing issues. “That’s really dangerous,” Alan says.

Overall, it’s best to take a pass on kratom, even in small doses. “This is something I would avoid and would not recommend,” Alan says. “The risks far outweigh the benefits.”

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Korin MillerKorin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more.

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